Hi Nick,

Moist (not dry) hot packs are therapeutic in reducing inflammation because the moist heat opens up the capillaries and encourages blood to flow in the (congested) inflamed area. Chronic inflammatory conditions often respond well to hot packs.

Cold packs do not encourage blood flow but can reduce acute inflammation caused by an injury or surgery.

With all that being said, each individual has their own preference to hot or cold applications. Personally, ice cold temps applied to my skin makes it hurt, even if the area is acutely inflamed. Whereas I find moist heat to be soothing.

Stress is a major trigger for tightening up our muscles, especially those muscles that are already messed up. Learned relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga or relaxation breathing exercises, bio feedback, other exercise, those sorts of things. We have to keep in mind that we train our bodies to respond, good.. bad and indifferent. So once the bad or indifferent has been established, we then have to re train our bodies to respond better. I'm sure you know all of this already... I'm just putting it out there

The ear micro suction that you had done... other than inflammation, what was the purpose of that? I have never heard anyone say it was painful. Do you mean the tightening of the jaw muscle hurt or the procedure hurt?

Yes, the ear and TMJ are intricately connected.... as well as the musculature system that we have spoke about.

Bryanna